Chestnut FAQs & Sale Terms
WHAT ARE CHESTNUTS?
Chestnuts are the edible seeds of the chestnut tree, scientifically known as Castanea. They are a type of nut that is distinct from other tree nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pecans. Chestnuts are characterized by their sweet and earthy flavor and have a starchy, potato-like texture when cooked. They are commonly used in various culinary dishes, both sweet and savory, and are a popular ingredient in many cuisines around the world.
Chestnuts have a rich history and have been a staple food source in many cultures for centuries. They can be roasted, boiled, pureed, or used as an ingredient in stuffing, soups, desserts, and more. These nuts are also known for their nutritional value, as they are a good source of complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Chestnuts are often associated with the holiday season, especially in Europe and North America, where roasted chestnuts are a popular winter treat. They come in different varieties, with variations in taste and texture, making them a versatile and flavorful ingredient in a wide range of dishes.
WHAT DOES A CHESTNUT TASTE LIKE?
If you're expecting chestnuts to taste like other nuts such as almonds or pecans, you might be surprised. Chestnuts have a sweet and earthy flavor, somewhat resembling a sweet potato. They become even sweeter as they cure.
HOW DO I ORDER CHESTNUTS?
You can order our chestnuts directly from our website. Simply browse our selection, add your desired quantity to your cart, and follow the easy checkout process. We offer secure payment options for your convenience.
WHICH STATES DO NOT ALLOW CHESTNUT SHIPMENTS?
We currently ship throughout the greater Unites States with the exception of three states; California, Washington and Oregon. This is due to their heavy state regulations that center around reducing cross contamination often shared by disease and pests. While Barnswallow does hot water bath and sanitize our chestnuts, these regulations are still in place for all companies despite these good-faith practices.
DO YOU OFFER SHIPMENT OF YOUR CHESTNUTS?
Yes, we offer shipping options for our chestnuts. You can have the freshest chestnuts delivered right to your doorstep.
WHAT AND WHEN IS A HARVEST PRE-SALE?
Chestnut presale is the opportunity to purchase chestnuts at the start of our harvest season. Presale typically starts in late August and runs up to mid-September each year. For the 2026, we are not pre-selling nuts. We will be harvesting and shipping in the moment. By participating in the presale in 2027, customers can secure their orders early and ensure they receive chestnuts as soon as our shipping schedule begins.
IS MY CHESTNUT ORDER REFUNDABLE?
Please note that all sales are final, and chestnuts are not refundable. We appreciate your understanding in this matter. See our Refund Policy Page for chestnuts.
CAN I CANCEL MY ORDER?
Orders are processed for shipping shortly after they are received, ahead of the scheduled shipping date. Once a shipping label has been created, we are unable to retrieve it, so orders cannot be canceled at that point. If a shipping label has not yet been created, we can cancel the order. Please note that refunds are subject to a 4% service fee on the refunded amount.
CAN I CHANGE MY ORDER?
Orders are processed for shipping shortly after they are received, ahead of the scheduled shipping date. Once a shipping label has been created, we are unable to retrieve it, so orders cannot be changed at that point. If a shipping label has not yet been created, we can add items to the order or modify sizes and quantities, but please be aware that this may affect the shipping date. Please note that refunds are subject to a 4% service fee on the refunded amount.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I OPEN MY BOX OF SHIPPED CHESTNUTS?
When you open the box of shipped chestnuts, you may notice some excess moisture from the chestnuts during shipment. A mild musty odor and external dampness are normal and do not affect the quality of the chestnuts.
DO YOU OFFER BULK OPTIONS?
For the 2026 season, we will only offer shipments in 5lb, 15lb and 25lb bags. In 2027 we expect to offer bulk options for larger orders. Please contact Farmer Meredith at barnswallowflowers@gmail.com for more information on wholesale pricing and availability.
HOW ARE CHESTNUTS WEIGHED & PACKED?
At Barnswallow & Co., our chestnuts are packed slightly overweight. Each order includes an extra couple ounces to compensate for natural weight loss that may occur during transit and to account for any "naughty nuts" that may not peel easily or might have internal mold. We weigh everything on an NTEP certified scale.
HOW DOES ONE READ SCALE WEIGHT?
Most digital kitchen scales display weight in pounds and ounces, not decimal pounds.
For example:
- A scale reading of 4:15 does not mean 4.15 pounds.
- It actually means 4 pounds and 15 ounces.
- 16 ounces = 1 pound, so 4 pounds 15 ounces is just 1 ounce shy of 5 pounds.
Depending on how precise the scale is, it may show to the tenth or the hundredth of an ounce. If it only measures to the tenth, the last ounce may in fact be higher than displayed reading, such as 4:15.8. Keep in mind that most home kitchen scales are not professionally calibrated and can vary in accuracy.
Weight Loss During Shipping:
Chestnuts naturally lose moisture in transit, which can reduce their weight. We pack every order slightly over the advertised weight (e.g., just over 5 lb) to account for this.
HOW ARE CHESTNUTS SANITIZED?
Chestnuts are sanitized to help prevent natural external shell mold. At Barnswallow & Co., we use a Peracetic Acid (PAA) solution, which is a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. PAA is known for its strong oxidizing properties and is effective against a wide range of microorganisms, making it a safe choice for food sanitization. This solution is approved by food safety regulatory agencies for use in food processing and breaks down into non-toxic byproducts. This sanitization process is essential for all chestnuts.
HOW DO I STORE CHESTNUTS?
To maintain their freshness, store chestnuts in a well-ventilated bag or container in the coldest section of your refrigerator. Ideal storage conditions are between 33-35 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity near 90%. See storage instructions here!
CAN I FREEZE CHESTNUTS?
Yes, you can freeze chestnuts for long-term storage. Place uncooked chestnuts in a plastic ziplock bag, squeeze out the air, seal it, and freeze. When ready to use, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and proceed with your recipe. Please note that these frozen raw chestnuts should be used promptly once thawed. See storage instructions here!
ARE CHESTNUTS PERISHABLE?
Yes, chestnuts are perishable and should be treated like fruits or vegetables. They require refrigeration. Store them in a breathable bag in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Fresh chestnuts are best consumed within two weeks of purchase. You can also freeze prepared (cooked and peeled) chestnuts or fresh chestnuts in the shell. To thaw frozen chestnuts in the shell, place them in the refrigerator overnight, then cook and consume the following day. See storage instructions here!
WHY DO CHESTNUTS MOLD?
Natural Occurrence: Mold can naturally develop on chestnuts, both externally and internally, due to the organic nature of the nuts. To minimize mold, it's important to store chestnuts in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area and consume or prepare them promptly.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF MY CHESTNUTS FLOAT IN WATER?
A chestnut either floats now or will float eventually! Despite misconceptions, a floating chestnuts are not necessarily bad! It can be, especially in growing regions that have weevils - we do not. Floating is a method used to help identify potential internal quality issues, but most floaters are perfectly fine to eat. It’s not unexpected for chestnuts to float after transit as they have lost moisture. All chestnuts will eventually float as they cure and dry.
SHOULD I SOAK MY CHESTNUTS OR DO A FLOAT TEST?
There's no need for you to perform a float test on our chestnuts, as we test all our nuts and only sell the ones that sink. If a chestnut floats, we consume those ourselves; they are safe to eat but may not be ideal for shipping. It's important to note that all chestnuts will eventually float as they dry and cure, and floating is not an indicator of bad quality.
When it comes to soaking, it should only be done if you intend to rehydrate and cook the chestnuts immediately. Soaking followed by storage can promote mold growth and lessen their shelf life. To maintain the best quality, only soak when you are ready to prepare the chestnuts.
WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT MOLDY CHESTNUTS?
Mold can occur on chestnuts, both internally and externally, and it's an inevitable part of the product. The exterior mold typically found on the inedible shell can be easily washed off without affecting the internal kernel, making those nuts still edible. Generally, it’s just a few in a bunch, and it's very unusual for more to be affected if the chestnuts are stored and handled properly upon arrival. However, internal mold, which cannot be seen or culled out, can happen despite our best efforts. Any nuts that show signs of internal mold should be discarded, but the rest of the order remains safe to eat. We cannot control conditions after shipping, and the susceptibility of chestnuts to mold, along with the variables involved, is part of why we have a no-refund policy. We appreciate your understanding as we work to provide the best quality chestnuts possible.
HOW DO I TREAT EXTERNAL MOLD ON CHESTNUTS?
If you notice external mold on your chestnuts, you can treat it with a quick soak. Prepare a chlorine solution by mixing 1-2 teaspoons of chlorine in 3 gallons of fresh water. Soak the chestnuts for 1-2 minutes, then rinse them thoroughly with clean water. After rinsing, dry the chestnuts and return them to the fridge, storing them in a cool and well-ventilated area.
HOW DO I REHYDRATE DRY CHESTNUTS?
To rehydrate dry chestnuts, first score the shells to help them absorb water. Then, soak the scored chestnuts in water for a few hours. After soaking, cook them immediately to enjoy their best flavor and texture. This process will help restore moisture and make the chestnuts easier to prepare.
CAN A CHESTNUT POP OR EXPLODE DURING COOKING?
Yes, a chestnut cooked without scoring the shell can indeed explode due to its high water content (about 60%), which turns into steam as it cooks and must escape the shell. To prevent chestnuts from popping, it's crucial to score the nut before cooking. The most common method is to make an X-shaped cut on the flat side of the chestnut, preferably using a chestnut knife.
HOW DO I PREPARE CHESTNUTS FOR COOKING?
First, rinse the chestnuts in cool water to freshen them up. Then, use a chestnut knife to make an 'X' cut on the rounded side of the chestnut. This scoring prevents bursting during cooking. For safety, place the flat side down on the cutting board while scoring the round side. See cooking instructions.
DO YOU SHIP CHESTNUT TREES OR STARTS?
No, we do not ship chestnut trees or starts. We are not a nursery. We sell chestnuts for consumption.
WHAT IS A PELLICLE?
A pellicle is a thin fibrous skin inside the chestnut shell that surrounds the nut. It should be removed before eating to fully enjoy the chestnut's delicious flavor.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PEEL A CHESTNUT?
Peeling a chestnut while it's still warm makes it easier to remove the shell and the inner fibrous skin, known as the pellicle. After cooking your chestnuts, try wrapping them in a dish towel to keep them warm and moist. Be cautious when handling hot chestnuts.
WHAT IS A CHESTNUT KNIFE?
A chestnut knife resembles a small carpet knife but with a slightly curved blade. This design provides better control when piercing the shell, making it a useful tool for scoring chestnuts.
WHAT IS A CHESTNUT CUTTER TOOL OR SCORER/SLICER?
A chestnut scorer tool is a specialized kitchen gadget designed to safely and quickly slice open the tougher out shells of chestnuts prior to cooking.
